After the game, Harbaugh needs to get it together

Coach Jim Harbaugh has been remarkably effective at leading the San Francisco 49ers to victory. Now he just needs to learn how to graciously lead the way to the locker room after a big win.

Harbaugh’s exuberance after the 49ers’ 25-19 upset of the undefeated Detroit Lions was understandable. His chest-bumping of one his linemen was fun. But his rude midfield greeting of Lions coach Jim Schwartz was regrettably boorish.

Schwartz, a fiery coach in his own right, was at least as ridiculously excessive in his reaction – chasing Harbaugh down the field as if they were on a junior high playground.

No punches were thrown, no coolers were smashed, no chewing gum was tossed at any fans. The word that comes to mind for the two coaches’ behavior is unnecessary.

Harbaugh is proving to be a terrific turnaround artist. The season is young; he should have plenty more chances to redeem himself. He now needs to add “postgame decorum” to his rapidly shrinking to-do list.